Chicken rookie with sneezing chicks

[jmc]

This is my first batch ever of chickens. They're nine week old RIR pullets, obtained through local feed store which got them from a very good hatchery. They've been sneezing almost since day 2, I'd say. They're active, eating and drinking well, but they have this sneeze. I just noticed a bit of nasal discharge when they sneeze. Vets around here don't handle chickens and I can't afford to go that route anyway. Are they doomed? What can I do?

 

[Wynette]

Can you tell us more about this? What is their environment like (are they outdoors? Are they on wood shavings?) - what feed are they on - does their poop look "normal"?

Oh, and: WELCOME TO BYC!

 

[jmc]

Thank you for the welcome.
Sorry so long in replying. Little time.
Pullets are 10 weeks old tomorrow.
Brooded indoors for first 6 weeks of life, first on paper towel then after a couple days onto wood shavings. Shavings had genuine sawdust in them, as I learned. Also learned that these donated pine shavings had a tiny bit of glue in them. Was advised not to worry. After a few more days, put the babies on true kiln dried pine shavings. Sneezing has continued throughout.
If it was a lethal disease, I think after 10 weeks there'd be some deaths. None! They are lively in all ways.
Starter feed was NON medicated but fortified with a natural immune strenthener called 'MOS'. Have had them on a 50-100% medicated feed diet for a few weeks now though, at a suggestion.
Droppings several weeks ago from some birds were loose, some very watery. All seem much better now, though there are some 'farty' sounding loose poops being let out. But poop otherwise seems good overall.
Funny the babies seem fine in spite of all this.

 

[Gloria]

Did they maybe catch a chill when you brought them home?

 

[Wynette]

Gloria, there are lots of diseases that they could have gotten that would make them seem almost "normal" except for a few symptoms. You mention they are doing better - are they sneezing less? How long were they on the shavings with the glue & sawdust, and how soon did they seem to be improving once you switched them over to the "regular" shavings? I'm wondering if it could be just a reaction to the glue or dust. Are they gaining weight? Are you seeing any discharge from their eyes or nostrils? Depending on how long it's been since you switched feed, you could definitely get runny or "farty" sounding poops. Hope they are most definitely doing better!

 

[lost]

i had a roo that was coughing and someone told me you could go to the pet store and you could buy vicks rub for pets. I didn't get to try becouse of a

dog. But I hope that help I never got to look.

 

[Wynette]

vicks is awfully messy. There is a chicken medication called Vet RX that works like Vicks; it's a liquid, and you put it under their wings - it's supposed to help with mild respiratory issues. I've not used it, but have heard good things about it.

 

[Gloria]

Quote:
That's not me, Wynette. It's Chickenmonk

 

[Wynette]

Whoops - sorry, Gloria.

 

[Gloria]

Not a problem.